Temperature-Dependent Luminescent Dye Security Feature

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current security features for objects, such as labels, lack reliable and secure methods to verify originality and protect against manipulation, particularly in ensuring the authenticity of temperature-dependent changes.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a temperature-dependent luminescent dye with a distinct color change at different temperatures, combined with a temperature-independent luminescent dye, to create a visible and reversible color transition that can be easily recognized, allowing for simple and inexpensive verification using cold spray and UV light.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a temperature-dependent luminescent dye is used to create a security feature, then the ability to verify authenticity through temperature-induced color change is improved, but the complexity of the security feature system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthenticity verificationVSAvoidsecurity feature system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies color changes by incorporating a temperature-dependent luminescent dye that exhibits distinct color loci at different temperatures. When exposed to UV light, the dye changes color based on temperature, providing a visible indicator for authenticity verification. This principle directly enables the security feature to distinguish genuine products from counterfeits through temperature-induced color variation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by exploiting the temperature-dependent optical properties of the luminescent dye. The dye's color locus shifts in response to temperature changes, allowing the security feature to respond dynamically to environmental conditions. This parameter change provides a reliable method for verifying authenticity without requiring complex additional components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a temperature-dependent luminescent dye is incorporated into the security feature, then the security against manipulation is improved, but the manufacturing process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against manipulationVSAvoidmanufacturing process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating the temperature-dependent luminescent dye into the product during the manufacturing process itself, rather than adding it later. The dye is integrated into the product matrix or applied as a coating before final product completion, ensuring it becomes an intrinsic part of the security feature. This preliminary incorporation simplifies the overall manufacturing process by combining security feature integration with product fabrication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution provides a reliable and secure means to verify the authenticity of objects by utilizing a temperature-dependent luminescent dye that changes color in response to temperature, while the temperature-independent dye serves as a static reference, enhancing protection against manipulation and forgery.

Implementation Method 1

a temperature-dependent luminescent dye 10, which has a predetermined first color locus F1a in a first state with a first temperature T1 and a second color locus F1b in a second state with a second temperature T2

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermochromism: Thermochromism

Implementation Method 2

a temperature-dependent luminescent dye 10, which has a predetermined first color locus F1a in a first state with a first temperature T1

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLuminescence: Luminescence

Data Source

PatentEP3409500B1Arrangement, article having a security feature and method of manufacturing an assembly for a security feature
Publication Date: 2021.05.26 SCHREINER GRP GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3409500B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3409500B1 patent drawingFigure 1C
  • EP3409500B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B

AI summary

An arrangement (1) comprises a component (3, 5, 7, 110) and a temperature-dependent first luminescent dye (10), which in a first state has a predetermined first color locus and in a second state has a predetermined second color locus different from the first color locus, and which is arranged on or integrated into the component (3, 5, 7, 110) in such a way that the luminescent dye (10) develops an optically perceptible color change from the first color locus to the second color locus as a function of a temperature change acting upon it.